Author: Rasheeda Davis

The Future of technology seems to be constantly predicted in films and literature. The biggest question we need to ask ourselves is will we have a future? The world is filled with pollution, corruption and vast poverty. It seems like almost every day a new disease is being discover that will destroy mankind. I think technology should be our solution to the problems that we have; however, it seems like this might not be the case. We are not taking full advantage of the endless possibilities we have with technology. Information is the more accessible than it has ever been in history. Most people don’t spend time investing in learning because of the easy accessibility of google. The world as we know it can improve or worsen if we don’t acknowledge our flaws as a society and strive to improve. The environment is slowly dying which will eventually impact us all. Some individuals might escape this temporarily due to wealth. However, this will only last temporarily. The wrath of Mother Nature is real and will dictate how we live. The sea level are rising and we cannot deny how fast this is occurring. The ice caps are melting and the Amazon is slowing eroding away. Is it too late? May not, I hope that one day this will all change and we will live in much better space. A world where the environment is respected and technology thrives. Technology will not only improve the life of humans but also improve the environment.

Sam Smith 2015, Sunny Times Opinion Column

Hi, my name is Ken. If you’re reading it’s too late. Yes, I said it’s too late. I’m not referring to the Drake’s Album. I talking about the condition of the world. The article above is an insert I found from a article 20 years ago that I found in the basement of my grandparents’ house while searching for another can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Most of the news I get now is very depressing. The world is more or less gone as we knew it. Disease and pollution destroyed large portions of Africa and China. The scariest thing so far is being trapped in doors. Currently we are not allowed to exit our pod homes. When I look out my window all I see is a blue fictitious translational screen that surrounds our home that mimics the atmosphere. Outside of this device, the world of the early twenty-first century does not exist.

Much of what was present has dissolved due to worsen conditions in the environment. Our attempt as a society to reverse the conditions of pollution epically failed. It all started in to 2016 when Donald Trump became President of the United States. One of his first disastrous decision was the reversal of President Obama’s environmental initiatives. During that time, an attempt was made for the world to globally acknowledge the existence of global warming. At that time, even though I was only 12 years, I knew global warming was a real thing that we should acknowledge. I remember sitting in class stunned by the images my teacher showed of the Islands in the Pacific disappearing. Those images resonated with me because I dreamed of traveling the world one day.

I wanted to visit the Arctic Circle, climb Mount Everest, walk a portion of the wall of China, and dive in the clear deep blue ocean of the Fiji Islands. I was inspired by my grandfather’s stories during his service in the US Navy. I sat in class that day thinking how could anyone say global warning doesn’t exist. I still remember some kids making smart comments like “not my problem” and “the US will always be fine”. The most unexpected comment I heard was “when do you think the latest IPhone will be released”. Most individuals in class that day were focused on updating their twitter or listening to the latest music. I thought to myself, technology will the demise of mankind. We rely on it so much that we ignore the impact it is having on our environment.

When I was younger, the highlight of my day was coming home from school and playing outside with my friends. After I completed my homework, I enjoyed riding my bike outside, playing tag with friends, and climbing the tree in my back yard. I played video games but preferred to play outside. Overtime, my friends became more interested in staying inside. They preferred to watch movies and play video games. I would go along with it because I did not want to be left out. I always felt that we should be active and not just sit around on our days off playing video games. I believe society as whole began to prefer to activities that required no effort or thinking. With this, we began to give away the biggest thing that separates humans from other creatures and that’s our vast ability to think. We began to allow technological devices, like Siri, to think for us. Technology not allowed simplified our lives but also our minds.

I’m sorry to go off on such a tangent. This is just the first time in a year, I felt like I could express the way that I feel. Most people now don’t talk about the past. It’s often said “why live in the past when we have to fight to survive now”. One thing that is certain is that we fighting for our lives. At the start of 2020 one of the last large ice caps in the Artic melted rising the sea level significantly. Within hours, Millions of people died because they could not get to higher ground fast enough. We were all forced to move inland because the conditions in the environment we really rough.

The biggest problem that contributed to the demise of society and the speeding up of global warming was the deregulation of fossil fuel emissions into the atmosphere. For several years, there were strict guidelines on how much fossil fuel omission should be allowed into the environment. Once Trump came into office this slowly changed, especially in the US. The EPA lost funding and its resources went it to the business and technology sectors. Without the EPA there was not a watch dog holding companies accountable for their actions. America was viewed as one the leaders fighting against global warming. Once America stopped caring, the rest of the world stopped caring.

The demand for smart devices increased. Factories across the world began to produce more device to compensate the rapid demand. Initially, there was not ramifications from the rapid influx of fossil fuels into the atmosphere. Within one year, a portion of the ozone layer in Russia had completely depleted. Russian scientist attempted to create a device that would produce synthetic molecules that would multiple and fill the gap. This device worked and it seemed to solve the problem of the ozone layer. This device was used to address the problems with the ozone layer around the world. The problem of global warming seemed to be solved. Scientist did not realize that this was only a temporary solution. Pollution continued and eventually the device stopped working.

My advice is stop before it is too late.

-Ken (2021)

I was inspired to write a journal entire from an individual in the future. This individual is using a time machine to send a letter to himself in the past. I wanted to focus more on the impact of technology that the actual devices. I think it is important to assess the impact of technology on our society socially and environmental.

Technology is simplifying the way we approach creating media content. The various technologies we experimented with over the past five weeks are innovative and have reshaped my perspective of how we will communicate in future. In the near future, I envision the work environment being filled with devices similar devices we’ve used. Especially devices, like the Google Hololens, that merge reality and virtual reality.

As an inspiring public relations practitioner, the main section of this course that I envisioned being implemented into my profession is the Apple Watch. I envision in twenty years, the cellphone will be replaced by watches similar to the Apple Watch. I decided to test the practicality of using the Apple Watch for a day instead of using a cellphone. I decided to test it out and have a friend of mine test it out as well. I decided to devote 5 hours to only using the Apple Watch instead of my phone.

Equipment:

Apple Watch

I phone 6

Hypothesis:

I believe that I will be able to comfortably read my text messages and check emails. I will able to keep stats of my workout and effectively communicate with others faster.

Results:

Overall, I did not enjoy using the Apple Watch instead of my cellphone. The screen is significantly smaller than the screen of a cellphone which made it harder for me to read text because I have poor vision. One thing, I did enjoy was having quick access to my text messages and being able easily view my workout stats. It was difficult responding to my emails. I am completely aware the watch was not designed to replace the cellphone but I envision in a few years newer models will. I included a testimonial video of my friends experience. His experience was very similar to mine. Through this experience, I have realized that the wearable devices have a while to go before being implemented into everyday use.

Conclusion:

Based upon this experience, I would not currently replace my I Phone with the Apple Watch. I was inspired by the movie Spy Kids. I remember the characters in the film had watches that allowed them to talk, look up information, and video chat. At that time, that seemed unrealistic to me. I believe within the next 15 years this will be possible and watches will replace cellphones.

The Infrared Proximity Sensor Long Range would be a great sensor for investigative journalist to use. I imagine people using this device to enhance the quality of the video they gather. This device can innovative video quality. Investigative Journalism overseas can be dangerous. I think this sensor could be used to identify movement before a journalist decides to proceed to shoot a scene. This device can measure objects up to 5 feet away. This video can also be placed in virtual reality to provide viewers with a more realistic experience.

The progression of drones seems serial. The first time I ever heard of a drone was my senior year in high school. I remember sitting in my world geography class four years ago in high school and my teacher showing video clips of drones used by the US Army. The use of drones in media will transform how stories can be told. It will allow journalist to have access to live action from safe distances. The main problem I foresee with the drones is the battery life. The battery life of drones are limited. If the battery life is extended the drones can be used to for media coverage. I hope in the near future I can learn how to fly a drone and incorporate it in my work. Even though, I am a pr major I believe this device can be used to create content for a campaign or project.

I was really looking forward to printing a 3D model of myself but I was having difficulty converting the file to the necessary format to take to the Makerspace. I decided to upload the original 3D model. This technology has reshaped my perception of 3D modeling. I believe 3D scanning will change the gaming industry because individuals will eventually be able to play as this themselves.

Prior to taking this course, a friend of mine invited me to visit the SU Makerspace. I was really impressed by the variety of activities for students to engage with for free. The Makerspace is a hidden treasure that I wish I knew about sooner. I am graduating this semester and wish I could of had the opportunity to explore the different resources that exist for students.

Using the Microsoft HoloLens was a great experience. Initially, I was not sure what to expect. The thought of a wireless device that combines augmented reality and virtual reality seemed serial. The progression of technology and the progressive impact on our society, made me think of film the science fiction The Matrix. This new technology is exciting because it will change the way we interact and how we collaborate on projects. Prior to the course, I was not very familiar with the Microsoft HoloLens. I was some what familiar with the Oculus Rift.

The Microsoft HoloLens is innovative and will transform the way media is consumed. The Microsoft HoloLens will help provide consumers with an new way to interact with technology. Through this technology, we change the way we learn and interact. For example, it can change the way students learn in classrooms around the world. As this technology progresses, it can be used to provide students with realistic images. This technology will improve the quality of work produced by researchers. This technology can help in the S.T.E.M sectors.

The HoloLens will definitely be a great tool in the public relations industry. Through this device, I could create an entire interactive presentation for potential clients. I envision this device being used to create diagrams and provide realistic models of potential inventions. This device will decrease the cost of constructing models. The current condition of the HoloLens is not ready for everyday use because it is sort of heavy. The initial product has a lot of potential and will forever change the way we communicate.

The presence of artificial intelligence in the film Iron Man seems closer to reality than ever. The first film of the latest Iron Man franchise was released in 2008. The possibility of an artificial intelligent sidekick like Jarvis seemed far fetched until birth of Siri in 2011. Siri’s abilities are not equivalent to the system in Iron Man. Within twenty years, I believe new systems will be created and will be as great as Jarvis.

For my field test, I would like to use the Oculus Rift or HTC Rift. I have not finalized exactly what I would like to do with this technology. Currently, I think I would like to explore the possibility of using this technology for online shopping. Potential shoppers can virtually try on on clothing at their favorite stores.

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